The main underhood wiring harness took the brunt of the fire. Initially, thought the entire harness was toast, and it's an expensive & hard to find component (71 XR7 vert with power windows and AC). Using a few old Ford donor harnesses (NEVER throw these away) , clipped out all burnt wires and soldered in correct gauge/color coded wires from the donor harnesses. All done and ready to go!

Project Phoenix is arising from the flames & ashes - only slowly, with less drama and slightly more cursing.

I think it will look good. I know my 71 is not that color, it is Code 6, Bright Blue Metallic. But I like it.

Neal Jacobson.
1970 XR-7 White "Ginger"
1970 XR-7 Convertible Blue
1971 XR-7 Bright Blue with Blue "Up Beat" interior
1970 Standard 428CJ Competition Yellow The New Money Pit.
See ya on the hiways, The political and commercial morals of the United States are not merely food for laughter,
they are an entire banquet.
- Mark Twain -

Hey folks..
I may need to abandon the '71 XR-7 convertible and send it off to the scrapyard.

Not because of lack of money. Not because of lack of interest. Not because of lack of ability.

Simply because there isn't a body shop ANYWHERE within this area that is willing to paint this car. No way, no how. At any price.

This is a nearly 100% rust free California car, professionally media blasted to steel, 100% dismantled to a bare rolling shell. All the body shops say "too many unknowns" a "pandora's box" "can't make any money on full repaints"

Incredibly discouraged and ready to junk it. It's a shame, but it appears that at least in New England, old time paint shops no longer exist. And I don't have the skill, facility or time to paint it myself.